Intermot: New KTM 1090 Adventure R unveiled

KTM’s continual drive to offer bigger, better, and more banzai adventure bikes has gone to a whole new level for 2017. Gone is the 1050 Adventure, and the whole family of 1190s, replaced by a cleaner and more unified range comprising two 1090 Adventure models, and three 1290 Super Adventures. 

Sitting at the top of the new 1090 tree is the Adventure R, aimed at riders who want genuine off-road ability. Both 1090s share the same evolution of the 1050cc 75° V-twin motor, now developing 125bhp, while the R gets long stroked fully adjustable suspension by WP, laced wheels (21in front / 18in rear) multi-mode ABS, traction control, a slipper clutch and four rider modes.

The extremely rugged wire rims come with Continental TKC80 Twinduro rubber as standard in 90/90-21 and 150/70-18 sizes, while the fully adjustable WP suspension gives 220mm of travel front and rear to help you though even the toughest terrain.

The hefty braking hardware boasts dual 320mm Brembo discs and radial four-piston calipers, all linked to Bosch 9M+ ABS software. There’s an off-road mode where it allows the rear wheel to be locked, but the front wheel ABS remains active – or you can disengage it completely. There’s also multi-mode traction control, which will allow varying degrees of slip under hard acceleration, and four riding modes of Sport, Street, Rain and Off-road.

The screen is adjustable, as are the handlebars, footpegs and handlebar levers. There’s also fully integrated luggage as an optional extra, including rugged side cases and a topbox. And being the R, you get the trademark orange frame and crashbars. If you’ve got to be able to go absolutely anywhere, and don’t want the big 1290 – then this is the bike for you. It’ll be no less comfortable or capable on the road as it is off it. 

 

• See this bike at Motorcycle Live this November 19-27.